1-54 London names best booths as fair runs at Somerset House
ARTnews published its guide to “The Best Booths at 1-54 London” on 17 October, in the middle of the fair’s four-day run in London. The list picks out selected gallery displays at the 2026 London edition of the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair ARTnews. A booth, in fair language, is a dealer’s rented display space, and these round-ups are designed to help visitors find their way around a crowded floor.
The fair is showing at Somerset House on the Strand in London. The listed address is Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 1-54 London. Somerset House is a large arts centre on the Thames that hosts exhibitions, concerts and seasonal events alongside its fairs.
It opened on Thursday 15 October with hours from 11:00 to 19:00. It then runs from Friday 16 October through Sunday 18 October, open from 11:00 to 18:00 each day 1-54 London. As of 17 October 2026, there are two days left to visit.
The organiser describes 1-54 as the first and only international art fair dedicated to contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora 1-54. In plain terms, that means living artists with links to Africa, whether based on the continent or working elsewhere. The fair format is simple: galleries take spaces, hang and stage work, and meet collectors, curators and the public face to face.
The 2026 London show is the 12th edition of the fair to be held at Somerset House 1-54 Press. That history matters for regular fairgoers, who plan their autumn around returning venues. The organisation stages three editions per year, including editions in London and New York 1-54.
Entry is ticketed. Somerset House lists admission for the 2026 fair at £32, with £18 concessions and £100 VIP tickets Somerset House. Concessions are reduced-price tickets for visitors who meet set eligibility rules, while VIP tickets normally offer early or extended access and added events.
For visitors, this means planning helps. Start with the list. Check the day’s closing time, book the right ticket type, and allow enough time to move between rooms without rushing.
What makes this stand out for a casual night out is the ease of entry. You do not need market knowledge to use a best-booths guide. Time is short. Pick two or three spaces from the list, then wander.
